Donna M. Strachan
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donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Donna M. Strachan
@donnamstrachan.bsky.social
51 followers 44 following 28 posts
What happens in the sketchbook, stays in the sketchbook...

Freelance Artist, Illustrator & Writer.
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donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Donna M. Strachan @donnamstrachan.bsky.social · Feb 11
Hello Bluesky!

A little #introduction. I'm Donna, an #artist/#illustrator. I mostly work with traditional media - watercolour, ink and coloured pencil.

👇 Some of my #art. I'll share a mix of new and older work here, and some general posts too.

Questions and comments are always welcome! 😊
Bengal tiger portrait created with an ink drawing and watercolour paint. A5 on watercolour paper. Painting of a meercat with its mouth open showing a lot of sharp white teeth. Created with watercolour paint on watercolour paper. Mixed media portrait of a grey cat lying on a chair that's covered with a cream coloured blanket. A base layer of gouache with some coloured pencil drawing on top. Created on A5 mixed media paper. Monochrome ink drawing of my Jack Russell terrier, Sally, lying on a striped duvet cover sleeping. Created with fine liner and alcohol markers on A5 cartridge paper.
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Enjoyed breakfast with the dogs on the sofa today. Storm Bram is with us, so wee Sally is in doggy burrito mode. Misty is in her favourite spot to provide us with additional warmth! #dogsofbluesky #husky #JackRussell
Photo of an elderly white and brown Jack Russell called Sally, lying on a fluffy blanket with another blanket on top. Beside her a grey husky called Misty is lying looking over at the camera with her ears enthusiastically perked up.
December 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
I don't think I've actually posted a photo of Misty, or my Jack Russell Sal, so please meet my two canine studio assistants Misty and Sally 🐺🐶
#dogs #husky #jackrussell #dogsofbsky
A grey and cream husky with brown eyes, standing outside in the snow. She has been poking her nose into the snow, and has a dusting of snow over her nose. She looks very pleased with herself! A shorthaired white and ginger Jack Russell dog Sally, sitting on a dark brown blanket looking very sweet and gentle. She has long legs folded neatly beside her.
June 26, 2025 at 10:33 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Misty found a toad outside the back door last night. Gave it a sniff. Toad didn't want to be sniffed. Had no interest in making friends with a husky and hopped off.

Misty still went out hopefully looking for toad this morning. 🐸🐺
#toad #penandink #drawing #illustration #art
June 26, 2025 at 10:25 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Monday morning face 🐱

Finishing up on some admin today, hoping I can enjoy some sketchbook time later on.

"Ragamuffin cat" - mixed media on tinted paper.

Hope you all have a lovely week! ☺️

#art #cat #mixedmedia #CatsofBsky #ArtistOnBsky
Mixed media sketch of a ragamuffin cat. The cat is a long-haired white with ginger markings around the head and bright green eyes. Also the cutest pink nose. His head is tilted slightly looking less than amused, suggesting that his owner might have broken some feline etiquette recently.
March 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
A little flying fox bat sketch to welcome all the new users on Bluesky.

It's a bit dull in my studio tonight, so excuse my photography.

He's drawn in coloured pencil on A6 cartridge paper.

#sketch #bat #drawing #art
Coloured pencil sketch of a flying fox bat hanging from a tree.
October 18, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Reposted by Donna M. Strachan
catshouldnt.bsky.social
Prison Break
October 18, 2024 at 5:32 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Sunday mood.

It's funny how dogs usually get super mellow when you give them belly scratches. Cats it's 50:50 whether they purr or attack your hand! Still love them though. 🐈

"Belly rubs?" - pen and ink on cartridge paper.
#sketchbook #pets #cats #drawing #art #inkdrawing
Pen and ink drawing of a black cat lying on a wood floor, presenting his belly for some tummy scratches. Or to eat your hand!
July 21, 2024 at 1:06 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
One of my favourite sketches. It's a pen drawing of some starlings perched outside my window. It was a quick sketch, and good practice drawing bird poses. The bird on the end always makes me laugh.
#art #birds #starlings #drawing #ink #sketch
A monochrome ink sketch of some starlings perched on overhead cables. They are perched in different positions, some preening and one on the end looks like it's about to peck the feet of the bird beside it.
June 28, 2024 at 9:27 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
These birds are lovely! 🐦

Repurposed Utensils Perch and Preen in Matt Wilson’s Metal Bird Sculptures. 🥄🍴
www.thisiscolossal.com/2024/06/matt... #sculpture #birds
Repurposed Utensils Perch and Preen in Matt Wilson’s Metal Bird Sculptures — Colossal
Matt Wilson has transformed found utensils into recycled metal sculptures for the last 15 years.
www.thisiscolossal.com
June 24, 2024 at 8:32 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
When you're tired, but your head hasn't run out of charge yet...

This is a little portrait of my old cat, Bib. Created using gouache paint with coloured pencils on top.

#cat #drawing #mixedmedia #art
Drawing of a grey shorthair cat lying on a blanket-covered chair. She has a tiny white "bib" on her chest and green eyes with a little splash of ginger brown.
May 6, 2024 at 7:22 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
One of my favourite ink drawings. 🍄

It's surprisingly relaxing drawing the underside of a mushroom, as long as you don't lose your place!

Have a lovely day. 😊

#mushroom #fungi #drawing #illustration #art #artist #botanical
Ink drawing of the underside of two mushrooms as they lie on their side.
April 30, 2024 at 9:19 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Frilled neck lizard. 🦎 Painted using watercolour, ink and coloured pencil on watercolour paper.

I used black pencil to do the scales on this li'l guy, so I could partially erase bits to create highlights and shaping.

A fun challenge, albeit a long one!

#lizard #reptile #painting #mixedmedia #art
Mixed media painting/drawing of a frilled neck lizard holding on to a branch with his mouth open.
April 28, 2024 at 4:58 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
I had a fairly relaxed day today, so I thought I'd post one of my sketches from my London days.

This was near Stockley Park. Several moorhens were hiding their chicks around the pond, so I just took a peek and left them in peace.
#pond #drawing #sketch #landscape
Ink sketch of a pond with trees hanging over the water and grasses around the edge and in the distance.
April 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Good morning!

A cup of tea is always better with the relaxing notes of birdsong in the background. My feathered friends are in good tune today.

Here's a little blue tit I drew with coloured pencils.

I hope you have a lovely day!
#goodmorning #birds #art #illustration #drawing
Coloured pencil drawing of a blue tit bird perched on a branch singing.
April 3, 2024 at 7:16 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Hello! I hope you're all having a good weekend.

Here's a little coloured pencil drawing of a female Elephant Seal and her pup.

I drew this before I acquired proper blending pens, but I still think it turned out okay.
#seal #art #colouredpencil #drawing #sketch
Coloured pencil drawing of a female Eephant Seal and her young pup, enjoying some sunshine on the beach.
March 23, 2024 at 7:54 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Trying to focus on admin today, so I'm updating my pricing spreadsheets. Then I'm ready to photograph and list some original art for sale. If you're curious... this is the bundle I'm starting with. 👇
#originalart #art #painting #animals #nature
Photograph of a selection of original paintings stacked and arranged on a large wooden easel.
March 22, 2024 at 5:44 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Something colourful on a dull day...

A painting of an angelfish on A5 watercolour paper. It always helps when your "model" is this beautiful.

Have a lovely afternoon! #angelfish #art #painting #watercolour #illustration
Watercolour painting of an angelfish. The fish is yellow with bold vertical black stripes. The fins are a mixture of orange, red and white.
March 7, 2024 at 3:55 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Happy World Wildlife Day!

Thought I'd share a few of my favourite wild animal paintings.

Bengal tiger & black rhino
Golden lion tamarin monkey & Napoleon snake eel.
#art #wildlife #painting #artist #WorldWildlifeDay #WWD24
Watercolour painting of a Bengal tiger. Watercolour painting of a black rhino. Watercolour painting of a golden lion tamarin monkey. Watercolour painting of a Napoleon snake eel.
March 3, 2024 at 8:44 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Here's a little watercolour painting of an Emperor Penguin and chick.

I love the interaction between them. Penguins are lovely! #penguin #birds #painting #illustration #art
Watercolour painting of an Emperor Penguin looking down at the chick that's resting on her feet. The chick has its head and chest sticking out, beak open expectantly hoping for some food.
February 29, 2024 at 8:34 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
A colourful angelfish painted in watercolour (A5 size)

Took me a while to get the details on this one, but I'm happy with how it turned out.
#angelfish #sealife #fish #art #watercolour #painting
Watercolour painting of an angelfish. The fish's body is yellow with black stripes, one over the eye. The fins are a mix of red and orange.
February 21, 2024 at 6:04 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
Tonight's drawing is a pen and ink study of a fallen chestnut.

In London, a huge Horse Chestnut tree grew over the garden. When the conkers started to fall, you didn't stay in the garden for long!
#conker #penandink #drawing #illustration #chestnut #sketch
Black and white ink sketch of a fallen chestnut with the nut and two halves of the outer shell.
February 20, 2024 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Donna M. Strachan
catshouldnt.bsky.social
February 16, 2024 at 2:41 AM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
It's a cold, wet day here, so I thought I'd share something more cheerful!

This watercolour of a Ulysses butterfly seemed a good choice, given the Bsky logo.

I hope you all have a lovely day!
#art #butterfly #painting #illustration #insect #nature
Painting of a Ulysses butterfly on a pink flower. The butterfly has bright blue wings, with black around the side and bottom edges of the wings.
February 15, 2024 at 3:00 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
A young Javanese cat painted in watercolour, with a little ink.

I couldn't resist painting those stunning blue eyes!

#art #cats #kitten #painting #watercolour
Painting of a young Javanese cat in front of some grey blue curtains. The cat is very pale cream with soft tabby markings and stunning blue eyes.
February 13, 2024 at 10:22 PM
donnamstrachan.bsky.social
I just realised it's Superb Owl Sunday, so here's an owl I drew earlier.

Pen and ink on cartridge paper.

#art #illustration #owl #birds #drawing #penandink
Ink drawing of an owl using mostly black inking with yellow eyes and beak as the only coloured areas.
February 11, 2024 at 11:27 PM